Jamie Green
patreon
✧This Week at a Glance✧: Tattooing, Window Display, Guilt
🕑 Added 2022-03-11 18:06:57 +0000 UTC
Hi and welcome to a new blog installment format where we're just going to hang out and casually chat about the past week!
We're talking low-workload periods (and how I fill my time), waiting for feedback, my upcoming window display for promoting Mushroom Rain at Malaprop's Bookstore in downtown Asheville, "gaming guilt", missing the outdoors, and tattoo practice!
This is my highlight reel from the past week. Sometimes I feel like it's important to call that out, you know? Like yes, I got to go to a cool art gallery opening at a tattoo shop in Asheville, saw The Batman, worked on a window display installment, and dressed nicely on some days...but there are equal if not more times where I'm wearing sweatpants all day, doing boring things like finishing up my taxes to send off, eating half a bag of kettlecorn standing over my kitchen sink, having a very bad horrible poop, struggling to communicate my feelings to someone I love, etc etc etc. I always want you to remember that social media is a highlight reel.
My intention is always to help you escape a little, while also keeping it very realistic. Equal parts fun and honest.
Also I should note that I am in a starbucks and there is a man who looks like a dirty sufjan stevens who has been on-and-off staring at me for a little over an hour now, so there's that.
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So let's get into the week, kicking it off with my hobonichi highlights from recently!
My hobonichi as I've said before is more of a place for me to do whatever, whenever. I don't have any particular "purpose" with it. For my longer-format journaling I use Day One, a digital journaling app where I type, rather than write on paper.
Thanks to a wonderful gift care package from @cardinalcrowns (I linked her etsy but Courtney can also be found from that handle on patreon, instagram and twitter) my hobonichi has been majorly upgraded using her stickers, tape, and notecards!
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Low-Workload, Waiting for Feedback
Ah, a position I would have killed for a while ago because of how busy I was, now it's here, and I feel....weird? But I have been practicing not feeling weird about it, hahaha. Basically, I am in this waiting space where I have now done multiple books which are all coming out soon, or later this year, and I'm also in the waiting-for-initial-feedback stage on Book 2 of Arden High. I'm also waiting for the 100% finalized manuscript, and the art cannot be started until then. So I literally don't have any pressing book work right now.
And me, being me, I must fill my time. But I'm working on being easy on myself and filling my time with half "productive" activities (patreon, tattooing, filming youtube videos, cleaning, organizing, doing interviews for classes and students, small art jobs here and there), and half "enriching" activities (anything non-work related, catching up with friends, relaxing, gaming, fitness training, being outdoors, reading, cooking).
I have written multiple times in my journal how I feel weird about not working. Like, I am an adult, and I'm paying bills, and I'm technically...making money, not actively, but because of the large advances I have already gotten, I'm set financially for the time being. But I have to be working, right??! That's how life works. I think the realization of how sweet freelance life can be has been seriously setting in this year. Like, I can hike all day tomorrow if I want. It does not feel real, and I feel so thankful that I am at a place to say that.
It does make me somewhat anxious knowing that at any minute I'm going to receive a massive email saying OKAY START ON BOOK 2 ALSO HERE'S BOOK 1 REVISIONS ALSO WE NEED THESE 43 THINGS ALSO DO A BACKFLIP????
...but I'm enjoying the period of time before that happens, and I'm actively working on staying calm before the potential storm.
"Gaming Guilt"
This is what I'm calling it. It ties in with everything above, in a way. It's literally the idea that for a long time I struggled with the idea of taking time out of my day to play videogames. This didn't use to be an issue for me, but once my career really began and picked up, especially because my career requires me to sit in front of a screen, I had a lot of trouble justifying sitting in front of a different screen and "wasting my time".
Genuinely I don't think I had time for it last year. But I wouldn't even allow myself to relax even once a week to play videogames, I would try to spend that time off doing something active, or just anything that didn't require me to be in front of a screen. When all the big animal crossing updates were happening I felt so heartbroken that it was hard for me to even listen to any of the new news regarding the game--I felt so behind, too behind to even catch up in any reasonable amount of time. I feel like I had a really complicated relationship with gaming during that time, which is kind of a silly thing to say, but videogames used to be such a huge inspiration for me, so I was missing it like a past lover, hahah.
This year I told myself I was going to try to ease back into playing games since I have the capacity to do so now. I sold my switch lite and got a full-on big boy switch, hoping that would help encourage me to get back to something I loved and work on that guilt I felt. I think it honestly helped! I've been actively playing a little bit of animal crossing or pokemon shining diamond before bed, and sometimes when I wake up. I look forward to it, it's like my special time that only belongs to me. Working on my animal crossing island again (starting completely over) has been a rewarding task where I trick my twisted little brain into thinking that I'm getting something done. And that's just what works for me! I'm so happy to be back into it, and will share some snippets from Kewpie island when it's more presentable. :-)
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Mushroom Rain Promotional Window Display!
I'm so excited that I get to do this. I thought about my options for a while on how I could make this display. What I ended up deciding on, to save time in setup and take the pressure off of myself a little, was to prepare mushroom and raincloud cutouts to prop up in the window, and then use window paint to put the words "mushroom rain" directly on the window.
I am using foam board to make the installations, painting directly on them with acrylic and colored pencil, then cutting them out with an exacto-knife (which has proven in the past to be difficult. This is how I made those cutout head shapes).
The most tricky part is working with the paint itself, which the foam board tends to suck up easily, so it's hard to spread the paint and I end up using a lot of supply. I use matte medium to try and thin out and extend my acrylic, also mixing in white gesso where I see fit. It takes some getting used to, but once I get in a flow with it, it becomes very enjoyable :-) I have been hunched over my floor, watching Love is Blind while I work on these. It barely feels like work at all (and I guess it....technically isn't? I'm not sure what I consider "work". I'm not getting paid for this because it's advertising for the book).
Anyways, this all has to be done by next week, and installation is on the 23rd. I'm not sure yet how I'll prop them up in the window, and I really hope I can figure out appropriate hanging hardware for the clouds/rain drops. I will keep you updated on this process and maybe even film the installation if I can!! If you're in the Asheville area, keep an eye out for Malaprop's book store!
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Tattoo Practice
I'm keeping this section short because frankly there isn't much to say (I'd like to save this for an upcoming podcast, too). But I did just give my second tattoo to another body besides my own! I sweat so much the whole fucking time! wow! I have a crippling fear that I will mess up and the client will be horrified, despite the fact that I do not charge money for these initial "practice" tats. My home setup is getting better and better though, and (even if they were pretending) my last client who got the kewpie fairy seemed really happy with it. It's not perfect by any means, a solid 6/10 in my eyes, but I know I'm also probably being a little hard on myself.
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Finally, Missing The Outdoors.
Maybe missing isn't the right word. Getting excited about it is better. Last year I hiked a few times, but felt like I did sacrifice a lot of outdoor time due to my workload. Going into this spring I know I'll have more time to go for runs outside, rollerblade, hike, backpack, swim in lakes and waterfalls, and picnic. I felt my heart leap while typing that!!
I really want to record/vlog some outdoor time for you, too. I am really happy to be living so close to the Appalachian mountains and cannot wait to take full advantage of that this spring and summer! To finish off, here's some photos from springs and summers past just to get some virtual fresh air(?).
Do you have any plans for the warmer weather and sunnier days?
See you soon and thanks for spending time with me!
-JG
Comments
Alice Noah
I'm so happy you had some time off and managed to do things you enjoy. Also, the tattoo is dooope, I need one! I hope you'll get to record an outdoor kind of video in the future, the mountains you show in your photos look amazing.
Cardinal Cusack
AAAAAH JAMIEE thanks so much for the shoutout!! I love reading all about what you're up to and am so happy that you like the notepads! They look so beautiful in your hobonichi!! (＾▽＾)
LittleTinyEgg
This was a nice little update! I too am so excited to get out outside as the weather warms up! I want to echo what a lot of others have said- you definitely deserve some downtime! The transition from a period of high work to less intense work can be tricky just because of the routine change, so don’t get too down on yourself for that! Very excited for a tattooing pod! Happy spring Jamie! 🌸
Jamie Green
YAY animal crossing renaissance!! I'm happy to hear my blog post could help bring you some comfort, and that you could relate to the feeling. I'm also very excited for the green leaves...I see buds forming on a lot of the branches and I get so excited. I wonder how long it will take to see them blooming <3
Weika
It's awesome hearing from you, as always :) I can relate to so much of what you're saying about freelancing, managing the down time and the guilt. It's nice when someone you look up to expresses these things too ^^ Anyway I'm v excited to see your ACNH island, I'm currently back into that obsession again (I've decorated like a third of the island in 4 days >_> oop), and I can't wait to see that window display too !! It looks so good already ! I got my copy of Mushroom Rain last week and man, it's so beautiful. <3 And to answer your question, I'm mostly excited to see the leaves grow back on the trees :) I'm kind of over the naked branches look.
Jamie Green
I am so happy you've been able to have your nightly Witcher time, that is awesome. (it's such a sexy game too!!!) <3
Jamie Green
Hi Helena!! Wow, thank you so much for the encouraging words--sometimes it's nice to hear that others think I deserve a little bit of relaxation, too. I have always dreamed of thru-hiking, but I'm not sure if I would ever go through with it. Both me and my partner were gung-ho about it at different times in our lives. I have done a few section hikes on the AT, though, the longest of which being 7 days--no stopping into town or showering during that time either, phew. Everyone on the trails are always so nice, I love smiling and saying hello to everyone I see, especially all the trail dogs :')
Jamie Green
Wow yes, okay I'm glad to hear you also just felt The Batman was "okay", because damn I guess I had my expectations too high!! Robert looked goth and great but the rest felt...forgettable. (and the romance felt forced??) I would love to add a little section of my podcast dedicated to just media I enjoy/am inspired by. And 100% my next podcast will be all about tattooing, how I feel, my anxieties regarding it, and why that tat is a 6/10, hahaha. Thanks Nene and I will be laying in the grass in solidarity!
Helena Algermissen
Loved to read this life update while laying in my bed waiting for my roommates to wake up (it is pancake Sunday here and I am the only early bird in our shared apartment) however, I’m happy to hear that you have more time for yourself now! But I also know this guilty feeling when not actually „working“ so well! We need time to relax too and do just the things we love, it’s so important for us to not feel burned out (at least for me it is). I don’t know why society always tricks us into having to be productive but it is completely fine and healthy to sometimes just play games and do other things we enjoy like hiking, being outdoors, that nourish our mind and soul. You have worked SO hard with these books and you deserve to enjoy the time you have now! I am also very stoked to see the window installation! And as always, you’re a big inspiration to me. The way you’re managing your freelance work, life in general and of course your ARTSTYLE! Ahh I love it so much… And since I read you’re living close to the Appalachian mountains.. have you ever thought of a thruhike or section hike? I think that the Appalachian trail must be so cool with all the outdoor freaks and nature lovers out there. I would love to meet all these people who love the outdoors just as I do🤩 I hope you’re having a wonderful day Jamie and that you can do all the things you love!!
Shauna Lynn
I took a break from gaming for quite a while, not sure if burnout or if I just didn’t have time to do it. A few months ago I picked up the Witcher again and started playing nightly and that’s been my thing almost every night now for months. Do I feel guilty that I could be using that time for personal work? Absolutely. But I need that time where I am just not thinking at all. Congrats on Mushroom Rain! I preordered and saw it displayed proudly behind Chad the other day on a video call! :)
Sasha Avilov
your sweet little highlight reel updates are such a nice way to be reflective of my own life!! stoked to hopefully do more outdoor climbing this summer - joined my local gyms climbing league and my team of strangers has ended up being two nice boys who are incredibly strong and incredibly motivating. they do a bunch of outdoor things so hoping w my training i’ll get to that level lol
Jamie Green
That's a huge honor, thank you!! Soon!!
Jamie Green
Yeah, all of my recommendations were from a kind friend who works at a shop. He suggested Cheyenne's pens for me (pens vs a coil gun because pens are like holding a big marker and are easier for artists who are used to drawing!), my machine is a Cheyenne hawk, and I just used Cheyenne's Power Unit that they offer. I am starting off with Cheyenne's craft cartridges, but I'm not sure if I like them. I have some issues with them that I can talk about more in depth soon! But I love my Hawk pen :-D As for resources, just talk to any and all (kind) tattoo friends that you have who are more experienced, and youtube! I don't have any particular channels I watch, I watch them all. I'm still super super new, so I'm definitely not someone to give solid advice but I'm happy to have newbie solidarity with you.
nene ⁕ he/they
Tha Batman was truly just Okay for me too 😳 Nice to hear you taking some time for yourself!! And can't wait to see the window display for Mushroom Rain ❣ I think it'll be super interesting to hear a podcast about tattoos and how you are doing and why do you think that Kewpie is a 6/10 because from where I'm standing it looks really well done!! Also a podcast/video where you talk about/show your inspirations in art, you can also do a recurring spot where ponce you'll talk about movies, then videogames, anime, other artists, etc... I think it would be really interesting :3 Plans for summer,,,, lay on the grass and feel the sun on my skin and just be there and present and one with nature. Oh how I love looking forward to spring and all the fun outdoor activities it can bring!!! 🏕 Let's go nature!!! 🌿
Sara Lynn
I literally can’t wait to get tattooed by you one day, as soon as you open up shop I’m driving myself all the way down there ASAP ✨
Samantha Greig
I’ve been thinking about getting in to tattooing also, as a beginner do you have any recommendations on how you found what machine to purchase or any resources for starting up and learning what you need etc? That little kewpie is stinking adorable!!!
